Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Work of Martin J. Ridley - Photographer . . .

◊Steamships Westonia and Gwalia, Cardiff - An amazing postcard photograph of the Barry Railway Company's, (or should I correct that to the Barry & Bristol Channel Steamship Company!) proud possessions, the paddle steamers 'Westonia' and 'Gwalia', taken by Mr. Ridley at Pier Head, Cardiff during the period c.1905 to c.1910. The 'Westonia', 'Gwalia', 'Devonia' formed the original Red Funnel Fleet being joined by 'Barry' in 1907.

'Gwalia' was built at John Brown's shipyard on the Clyde in 1905 and served until 1911 when Campbell's bought the vessel. She was lost on duty in WWI.

'Westonia' was built in 1889 by J. Scott at their shipyard at Kinghorn, Fife and named 'Tantalon Castle'. Following a number of changes of ownership she was also purchased in 1905 by the Barry Railway Company and became a member of the Red Funnel Fleet until 1910. She was fitted with two funnels afterwards and renamed p.s. 'Tintern' under Campbell's who sold her off only a year later to a company in Portugal where she survived in service until 1929.

Another heritage postcard record of Mr. Ridley's work as a photographer in South Wales during the period 1900 - 1910 from the Penarth Dock Collection. [001] [M.J.R. - B. 7725]